Tag: chevelle

Chevrolet’s Mark IV LS6 454 Made the 1970 Chevelle (and El Camino) SS, Super – Mike McNessor @Hemmings

Chevrolet’s Mark IV LS6 454 Made the 1970 Chevelle (and El Camino) SS, Super – Mike McNessor @Hemmings

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More than 50 years on, the 454 is still the big Kahuna—the largest displacement engine ever bolted into a regular production Chevrolet passenger car. It’s lived a long, useful life since its 1970 model-year introduction, powering trucks, boats, generators, race cars of every sort, and more.

Chevrolet will sell you a new 454 today, ready to run, like the 454 HO with 438 hp and 500 lb-ft of torque or the ZZ454 with aluminum heads, rated at 469 hp and 519 lb-ft of torque. These are technically “Gen VI” engines – the original 454 was designated Mark IV. The new engines have four-bolt mains and forged cranks and rods like the best of the originals, but are updated with roller camshafts and one-piece rear main seals. They’re from the same family as the ZZ427 that Hemmings Editor in Chief Terry McGean installed in Hemmings’ 1969 Chevelle SS396 convertible.

With a domed hood, the LS6 could’ve been topped with either a dual-snorkel or open-element air cleaner.

The 1970 LS6 454, factory rated at 450 hp, was exclusive to the Chevelle and the El Camino. It not only gave Chevrolet intermediates more power than the Corvette that year, it was the most powerful engine those cars would ever have. Part of the LS6’s charm was that it wasn’t exotic, but made effortless horsepower and torque. The basic recipe included a four-bolt main block; 11.25:1 compression; rectangle-port heads with 2.19-inch intake and 1.88 exhaust valves; an aggressive mechanical cam, shared with other high-performance big-blocks; and a low-rise aluminum intake topped with a 780-cfm Holley. In ’71 the 365-hp LS5 was the top engine offering in the Chevelle, while Corvette gained an LS6 engine option rated at 425 hp and topped with aluminum heads — thus putting Chevrolet’s sports car back on top of the performance lineup. Interestingly, factory literature shows a 425-hp LS6 454 (with iron heads) as an option for the ’71 Chevelle, but none were sold.

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My Classic Car: Restoring Mom and Dad’s original ’65 Chevelle – @ClassicCars.com

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On July 8, 1965, my Dad purchased a brand new 1965 Chevelle Malibu SS. This was his first new car purchased off the lot and, oddly, has been the only new car he has ever purchased. He paid $3,262.45 for the car.

He then married my Mom in November of that same year. This car was very special to my Dad and Mom and we have great pictures of their adventures.

Shortly after their honeymoon, my Mom became pregnant and my oldest brother was on the horizon. He was born in ’67 and soon after, Mom and Dad learned of twins coming. The discussion turned back to the two-door coupe, and my Mom and Dad decided to sell the Chevelle to accommodate the future family.

My Mom shared with us kids growing up that she saw Dad’s emotions only a few times. One of those times was the day he had to sell his Chevelle.

As it often happens, life throws a few curves at families. My Dad’s youngest brother Paul was killed in a car accident in 1970. This event, and a few others, changed my Mom and Dad’s lives and began to shape our family’s future in ways we had yet to understand.

By 1971, our family now had three boys and one girl. My Dad was working a solid career with a Minnesota-based company and had the typical Minnesota family.

My parents attended a Lowell Lundstrom religious crusade, and through the message they heard, they committed their lives to serving God daily and through ministry. In 1974, my Dad left his job and moved the family to Dallas, Texas to attend Bible college and become a full-time pastor. He arrived back in our hometown of Sunburg, Minnesota, in 1976, and pioneered Sunburg Community Bible Church.

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The only thing that can top a Chevelle is Stevie Nicks on top of one – Dan Stoner @Hemmings

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The only thing that can top a Chevelle is Stevie Nicks on top of one

It’s an undisputed truth that Rock-N-Roll and muscle cars go together like Dazed and Confused. One of the first things we always seem to do, after plunking down the cake for the car we buy – whether it’s a certified muscle car or some wheezy 2-door we foist our dreams of glory upon – is a stereo. After all, what’s the point of putting air in those Hi-Jackers in the rear if you can’t bust out the Motörhead jams up front, right?

The only thing that can top a Chevelle is Stevie Nicks on top of one

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Related – Larry’s Big Day with Unknown Rock Star

Related – American Modern Insurance “The Build”

American Modern Insurance “The Build”

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If you are anything like we are here at the National Corvette Museum you can look at a mangled car and know that one day it was stunning, or one day it will become this gorgeous restomod. You have this vision of a heart pounding V8, ghosted stripes or flame job, plush interior, etc. Most non-car buffs look at that wrecked car as wasted space, but you and I are different! We have gasoline running through our veins!

You may be wondering what the difference is between a true restoration and a restomod. The answer is quite simple. A restoration is refurbishing the car to be mechanically and cosmetically the way it was when it was new. A restomod is taking a car and refurbishing it to appear stock or slightly modified with modern components to improve handling, drivability and performance.

The NCM’s Insurance Agency’s underwriter, American Modern Insurance Group, is up to their elbows in fun as they take on restoring a wrecked 1965 Chevelle Malibu SS and shape it into that heart pounding show winner! This restomod build will involve many employees from American Modern as well as some external agencies that want to have their hand in the rebuild. The NCM Agency will be taking part in several days of the restoration project, dubbed “The Build”. “The Build” will provide tuned in enthusiasts helpful tips, helpful training videos, and information tidbits to replay and use when restoring classics of their own – from beginning to end from American Modern’s own Sr. Collector Car Claim’s Specialist, Rick Drewry and his team of experts.
If you love cars, love restoring cars from wrecked/old to new, want to learn more about restoring or you’re just simply curious – join us in this amazing project by the people who know collector cars! Adam Boca, NCM Insurance Agent will be there for several days during the project’s adventurous journey to take part in the” down and dirty” fun. “We are thrilled to join American Modern’s experts in restoring this wrecked classic back to condition,” NCM Agent Adam Boca shares. “We hope our insurance customers and all enthusiasts will join in with us, ask questions, share thoughts and take part in the interactive fun. It is a great opportunity to get to know more about the folks who handle your claims, team members and have fun in the process.”

Find out more about “The Build” taking place now by clicking “like” on American Modern’s facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/AmericanModernCollectorCar It is going to be a fun ride so be sure to also follow the NCM Insurance Agency facebook page to see our involvement: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/NCM-Insurance-Agency/225876839230